So frustrated with Jude!

hey_jude

New Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
1,027
Likes
0
Points
0
#21
Thank you all so so much. Hearing that this isn't completely abnormal behavior is really comforting. I got so scared perhaps he was deep down this little devil dog- lol even though I knew that was very unlikely. Starting today I will be picking up and treating a lot, and not reacting to growling.

Yes I do think he does this when he's overstimulated or excited. That's helpful to notice.

I will update you all in a few days!
 

Gena

New Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2008
Messages
222
Likes
0
Points
0
#22
I'm by no means an expert, but I try to look at these things through my dog's eyes. He's doing his own thing, probably having fun and suddenly here's this big ole human snatching him up. It might have hurt that one time, so maybe it will hurt this time too. And sometimes he's probably getting picked up to be put in a crate or taken away from a cool goodie like underwear or cords. Of course, his view of being snatched up away from fun is way different than our view LOL!

So, yeah, getting picked up isn't MORE fun than whatever he's doing. I'd work the pick up game that was described above and possibly even ask him to put his feet up on me to be picked up. Making it seem like *his* idea and all of that. Of course, asking him to jump on you might backfire, but with a cue on it you could work in an opposite cue for times when he doesn't need to be jumping up on you.
 

hey_jude

New Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
1,027
Likes
0
Points
0
#23
One more thing, jude doesn't seem to enjoy me petting him that much. He doesn't mind it, but he doesn't get happy to get pet. Is this just a puppy thing? They're still trying to understand human signs of affection? Is it because he comes with me a lot of places and gets pet by probably close to 50 people a day and he's just bored with attention? Thanks! :)
 

hey_jude

New Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
1,027
Likes
0
Points
0
#24
I'm by no means an expert, but I try to look at these things through my dog's eyes. He's doing his own thing, probably having fun and suddenly here's this big ole human snatching him up. It might have hurt that one time, so maybe it will hurt this time too. And sometimes he's probably getting picked up to be put in a crate or taken away from a cool goodie like underwear or cords. Of course, his view of being snatched up away from fun is way different than our view LOL!

So, yeah, getting picked up isn't MORE fun than whatever he's doing. I'd work the pick up game that was described above and possibly even ask him to put his feet up on me to be picked up. Making it seem like *his* idea and all of that. Of course, asking him to jump on you might backfire, but with a cue on it you could work in an opposite cue for times when he doesn't need to be jumping up on you.
Lol that's so funny you mention this- he was taken away from BOTH underwear and cords just this morning. He's generally not one to walk around looking for things to chew, but I got on the phone with a client as soon as he woke up and he was frustrated with that I think and went off to get into things.

Great way to look at it- trying to see it from his eyes. Thanks!
 

Lizmo

Water Junkie
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
17,300
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
AL
#25
One more thing, jude doesn't seem to enjoy me petting him that much. He doesn't mind it, but he doesn't get happy to get pet. Is this just a puppy thing? They're still trying to understand human signs of affection? Is it because he comes with me a lot of places and gets pet by probably close to 50 people a day and he's just bored with attention? Thanks! :)
Maybe start treating him while you're petting him. Like hold his head, pet him, and treat him while stroking his head.
 

AllieMackie

Wookie Collie
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
6,598
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Ottawa, ON
#26
Finn wasn't a snuggler as a puppy... he was go go go then he'd fall over somewhere for a nap. :p. Now, after a busy day he's happy to snuggle up to me and get loved on. It takes time and bonding, and as the dog matures he tends to realize that resting for ear scratches can sometimes be pretty sweet. :)

Also, please be careful with how many places you take him. He's at a very young age and there's a lot of chance for sickness if they go to too many public places too early. Finn only went to friend's houses with vaccinated dogs, and other than that people came to our house for socialisation until he was about 14 weeks and completely vaccinated.
 

AllieMackie

Wookie Collie
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
6,598
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Ottawa, ON
#27
So, yeah, getting picked up isn't MORE fun than whatever he's doing. I'd work the pick up game that was described above and possibly even ask him to put his feet up on me to be picked up. Making it seem like *his* idea and all of that. Of course, asking him to jump on you might backfire, but with a cue on it you could work in an opposite cue for times when he doesn't need to be jumping up on you.
^ this. Teaching a hop up/get off cue early (that's what I did with Finn) can really help jumping issues later on, as they will already have a semi-solid "get off" cue. Finn still impulsively jumps on people a lot when excited, but a quick curt "get off" reminds him of his manners, and he gets VERY excited when I pat my legs and "hop up!" :)
 

Laurelin

I'm All Ears
Joined
Nov 2, 2006
Messages
30,963
Likes
3
Points
0
Age
37
Location
Oklahoma
#29
When I first got Mia there were a few days she was a bitey brat. I just had to be very firm with her and set boundaries. Some dogs also do not like to be petted or cuddled. I've had one of those before. It took a long time to get Trey comfortable with being held- he wouldn't bite, just he was very clearly not enjoying it. I started with petting inside his comfort level. Not too much, just what he could handle and give him treats for it. I'd gradually build on it until the point where he would lie down in my arms and go to sleep. Not all dogs come programmed with petting and holding meaning something good.

I agree on maybe slowing down a bit. Training is good but bonding is imo more important. Above anything, Jude needs to learn to trust you.
 

Lizmo

Water Junkie
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
17,300
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
AL
#30
Allie, that is a very good point about the 'get off' and 'hop up' command. Blaze loves it when I pat my leg or chest and tell him 'up!' and in turn he also likes it when I tell him 'off!' and we walk/run off and do something next.
 

hey_jude

New Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
1,027
Likes
0
Points
0
#31
Hey guys, thanks so much for the advice! Jude is actually already doing better after some treating.

As for taking him out and about, I fortunately have a very liberal veterinarian which I know is a rarity sometimes with vets. His suggestion was to take him out as much as he can keep up with, but to avoid pet stores, dog parks, or high traffic dog areas. He also said avoid nose to nose with unknown dogs, but play dates with dogs I trust are vaxed are fine. That's what we're going with :) We live in the city so if we were overly paranoid we'd spend the first 6 weeks in our loft. We spend a lot of time walking downtown to run quick errands (Austin is very dog friendly so dogs can go in most stores), sitting at coffee shops, and at a swimming area that isn't too busy with dogs. As many people say, more dogs die from being put to sleep for aggression versus parvo or distemper. We are being cautious though, but definitely not living in a bubble. Jude gets his final round next week fortunately then we're good to go!

How would you suggest bonding with him? I work from home so we spend a lot of time together sitting together at the coffee shop, playing in my living room, taking short walks, and laying together watching TV before he falls asleep (Then I bring him to his crate). I do think we bond too through his clicker training- I think him understanding more what I expect of him helps him feel more connected. Can you suggest any other bonding opportunities I'm not doing? We're generally together from 10am until 12pm at night when he goes in his crate, with about 3 hours during the day where he is in his crate while I'm out- so I definitely have a lot of time for bonding! Suggestions would be great. I was very bonded with my previous dog but it was never an active intention, it just happened so I'm not sure! Jude seems bonded to me in some ways, but he has a very independent curious personality and so he's not super clingy. I do like that spirit most of the time! :) Sometimes I wish he was more of a cuddler, but it's reassuring to hear that he will probably get more cuddly with time.

One funny thing, I've never had a dog before that watches tv! I've always heard about it but never knew they did. We watch dogs 101 together and he sits there cocking his head back and forth and perking his ears up. He usually has about a 10 minute attention span for it which is crazy to me!
 

Zoom

Twin 2.0
Joined
Jul 11, 2005
Messages
40,739
Likes
3
Points
38
Age
41
Location
Denver, CO
#32
At this point, time is what is going to bond the two of you. You're doing everything else already. :)
 

Lizmo

Water Junkie
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
17,300
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
AL
#33
As for taking him out and about, I fortunately have a very liberal veterinarian which I know is a rarity sometimes with vets. His suggestion was to take him out as much as he can keep up with, but to avoid pet stores, dog parks, or high traffic dog areas. He also said avoid nose to nose with unknown dogs, but play dates with dogs I trust are vaxed are fine. That's what we're going with :) We live in the city so if we were overly paranoid we'd spend the first 6 weeks in our loft. We spend a lot of time walking downtown to run quick errands (Austin is very dog friendly so dogs can go in most stores), sitting at coffee shops, and at a swimming area that isn't too busy with dogs. As many people say, more dogs die from being put to sleep for aggression versus parvo or distemper. We are being cautious though, but definitely not living in a bubble. Jude gets his final round next week fortunately then we're good to go!
This was my thinking as well when Blaze was a pup. :)

Hehe, that's funny about watching the TV! I would watch sheepdog trial videos on the computer when Blaze was tiny and he would sit in my lap. But he never liked the loud whistles, lol! Now he gets super excited if a whistle is blown. It's so funny.
I also have a Sheepdog training video and when I first watched it, he watched it too. Oh, and if a dog barks on TV he'll go up to the TV and twist his head like he's trying to hear the sound again.

Blaze wasn't a cuddly puppy, either. He's 19 months old now and looooves to cuddle in the morning. He'll jump on my bed and get as close as possible to me for a rub.
 

AllieMackie

Wookie Collie
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
6,598
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Ottawa, ON
#34
As for taking him out and about, I fortunately have a very liberal veterinarian which I know is a rarity sometimes with vets. His suggestion was to take him out as much as he can keep up with, but to avoid pet stores, dog parks, or high traffic dog areas. He also said avoid nose to nose with unknown dogs, but play dates with dogs I trust are vaxed are fine. That's what we're going with :)
Okay that's fine! Just sounded like you were taking him eeeevreywhere. :D
 

hey_jude

New Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
1,027
Likes
0
Points
0
#35
Thanks for all the advice guys! Just a quick update about Jude. We did a big treating session when holding him earlier and then stopped for a few hours, and just tried it again and he's been already a million times better today. We are going to continue to work on this more with him, but rapid improvement already! He actually seems happy to be held now.

Thanks everyone!
 

JoeLacy

New Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
493
Likes
0
Points
0
#38
Yeah, waay wiggly at first, mine is still wiggly. Most dogs I think have a sweet spot where they love to be rubbed. Find that and I suspect Jude will hold still at least for a minute, ok shoot for 30 seconds. :)

Sounds like this is a bright dog. I find bright dogs are sensitive dogs, meaning not only are they sensitive to themselves but sensitive to others as well. If Jude left the litter at 8 weeks or longer, chances are good he has some social skills with other dogs. They play bite and also communicate with each other how hard they "can" bite.

I use the Yelping method with my dogs and it was the only thing that worked. I yelped like a school girl and found they understood. The rule here is no teeth to skin ever, even if they just brush their teeth next to the skin, the higher your voice inflection the greater the response. Yeah, it's not too manly, but it worked for me. The key here is everyone who get's mouthed has to yelp. Good luck on that one.

You might also consider using an article of your own clothing in Jude's bed. A well worn unwashed pillow case or an old t-shirt. Watch this one though should Jude decides it's a chew toy remove it as those pieces of cloth may get lodged should he ingest it.

I handle any new dog as much as possible and make physical contact even when they are a asleep on the floor or bed. I may simply rest my hand on a foot without wakening him or run my hand up his back and let him lay on it. I place a hand, elbow or arm next to his nose, so he can smell me in a relaxed state. Don't forget ears, tummy, cleaning the eyes and so on. You can't pet or handle him too much or mine would not have any hair left.

You're doing everything right and I suspect one day, you'll be amazed at what Jude will be. Just remember, puppies have small brains and thus less computing power and even a shorter attention span. Puppies are marathon not a sprint, enjoy the journey. I think he's the cutest guy on this board.
 

smkie

pointer/labrador/terrier
Joined
Dec 16, 2004
Messages
55,184
Likes
35
Points
48
#40
I agree with Grammy. My puppies were done with the biting by the time they were ready to go at 8 weeks. IT is still a pretty darn normal behavior of all puppies ..just one of many issues to be worked with and corrected.

Check out the calming pressure points..including them into your relationship can ease a lot of behaviors.
 

Members online

No members online now.
Top